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In Turkey, Indonesian field hospitals are up and running
Indonesian humanitarian missions had started providing medical assistance and operating field hospitals to Turkey and Syria, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, in the aftermath of deadly earthquakes last week.
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Members of an Indonesian search and rescue team, assigned to help those affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, are seen with their dog after their plane landed for refueling at Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Force Base in Blang Bintang, Aceh province, on Feb. 11. (AFP/Chaideer Mahyuddin )
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ndonesia’s humanitarian missions to Turkey and Syria had started providing medical assistance and operating field hospitals, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, as relief missions continued into a second week after a series of deadly earthquakes swept through the two countries.
Other forms of humanitarian relief, including food, winter gear and other essential needs have also been distributed since Wednesday through the Indonesian embassies in Ankara and Damascus, the ministry said in a statement.
The government has also made use of an Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) C-130 Hercules aircraft for logistical needs, particularly in Turkey.
Between Hatay and Kahramanmaras, two of Turkey’s worst-affected provinces, Indonesian field hospitals have been erected for medical assistance, serving civilians across six subdistricts: Ardancli, Gulkent, Hacilar, Nazmanli, Aktepe and Egribucak.
“The field hospitals consist of triage rooms, outpatient treatment rooms, pharmacies, surgical areas and inpatient rooms,” the statement reads.
Reuters reported that over 36,000 people have died in Turkey as of Thursday, as rescue teams continue their efforts to dig through the rubble for any slim chance of survivors. In Syria, at least 5,800 people have died, according to Al Jazeera.
This week has seen Jakarta send two out of its three humanitarian assistance to the earthquake-stricken nations. The first, on Sunday, delivered to Turkey some 47 personnel from the Indonesia Search and Rescue (INASAR) team, while the second on Monday saw at least 65 health workers following suit.
Read also: Indonesia ‘stands ready’ to assist Turkey, SyriaAdditionally, the ministry said, Jakarta was finally able to send some aid to Damascus, which has received far less international aid due to limited entry points in rebel-held areas despite an ever-rising death toll.
“The embassy in Damascus has distributed assistance in some parts of Syria. The help consisted of food, medicine and winter clothing,” the Foreign Ministry said.
On Tuesday, amid the complex political landscape of Syria, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said Indonesia was considering sending Damascus “non-material” assistance in the form of money, per President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s approval, state news agency Antara reported.
The third round of assistance would be sent on Monday, Muhadjir said.
“God willing, the next round of assistance will deliver the logistical support needed,” he said.
Indonesia is among more than 80 countries that have offered assistance to Turkey and Syria after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks caused widespread destruction on Feb. 6.
